2017 Giro d’Italia: Podium finish for Portuguese World Champion

UAE Team Emirates’ World Champion Rui Costa clinched a podium position with teammate Simone Petilli in top ten after facing four tough ascents during the 11th stage that concluded Wednesday 17 May. Costa took an impressive second and Petilli eighth in the thrilling hilly stage from Firenze to Bagno di Romagna, behind Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) who came first while Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) kept the Maglia Rosa.

Commenting on his finish, 2017 Abu Dhabi Tour Champion Rui Costa said: “It was important that we joined a breakaway today and I worked really hard to be able to achieve that. I tried my best to pursue the attack and win, however towards the end I was exhausted. I guess I am a bit disappointed that I didn’t manage to win the stage especially after being so close. But it’s ok, the Giro is a long race and there are more stages to come that will surely provide similar opportunities. The most important thing for now is to remain focused and do our very best.”

Stage 12 is the longest of the Giro at 229 km, it starts in Forlì and crosses the Appenines (Colla di Casaglia and Valico Appenninico – both awarding King of the Mountain points) for the final time and into the Po Valley with the stage profile flattening out to a sprint finish in Reggio Emilia.